Inspired by the classic Belgian wit beer style originally resurrected by Pierre Celis and the renown Hoegaarden white, Lost Abbey’s Witches Wit was first brewed in the fall of 2008 after San Marcos brewmaster Tomme Arthur sampled some very tasty, floral grapefruit honey that was brought to him by his “bee guy.” The idea of brewing a light and delicately-flavored wit for warm weather refreshment was something that he found tempting (and for those who do not live in a southern California-like climate this winter, probably doubly so about now!).

Pek & Veren means “tar and feathers.” A brutal form of torture, or romanticized vigilante justice? These are the types of things you can debate with your mates after a few glasses of this deep, dark, smoky, tar-colored brew. Like all De Molen beers, this one is brewed and bottled by hand with zero automation. You can view the process for yourself by checking out the video at their website. Expect a nearly black pour with garnet highlights when he...

It’s hard to classify this outstanding beer. Is it an example of the Belgian Strong Pale Ale? Generically speaking, yes. Though it doesn’t really fit neatly into that category, and the label actually states that it’s a Tripel, the heavy-handed addition of hops takes it to Belgian IPA territory. Set the styles aside for a moment and just enjoy! Expect this unfiltered beer to pour a hazy butterscotch, honey-gold color, topped with a massive, thick,...

In 1999, Brasserie Pietra created another very unique brew: a Corsican witbier (white beer). Witbier is a classic Belgian style beer that is often spiced with herbs, typically coriander, and orange peel; and has a characteristic gentle spiciness, a mildly sour wheaty twang, and superb, refreshing drinkability. It took two years to finalize the recipe, one that includes an ambitious amount of herbs and spices sourced from the Corsican Maquis (the ...

“From birth till death, a Corsican’s whole time is lived under the influence of the chestnut tree.”

This old saying illustrates perfectly the Corsicans’ fondness for this splendid tree. Corsica has even been called “the civilization of the chestnut tree.” The island is one of the last regions in Europe where the dried fruit of the chestnut tree is still made into flour, which is then used in many different dishes. Pietra Amber, the brewery...

Many of the wheat beers that have risen to popularity recently have a hazy, murky appearance when poured, but this wheat beer is clear due to being filtered. On the nose, expect heaps of coriander, showcasing its herbal and spicy character. The herbal intensity of the aroma is high, with notes similar to rosemary and thyme, and a menthol-like tingle left in the nose, with all of this enveloped by notes of overripe oranges. These herbal and orange...

Anglers Pale Ale has earned Uinta B.C. numerous awards, including Silver Medals at the 2001 and 2003 North American Beer Awards. And, as an export beer, it carries a higher ABV than your typical Utah brew (capped at 4% ABV if served in Utah). Expect a traditional Pacific Northwestern-styled pale ale, presenting a truly inviting nose of grapefruit and pine (hop resins.) Fresh grains peak through the hops and a faint malt sweetness, but orange char...

Make no mistake; we love big, full-bodied, knock-you-on-your-arse microbrewed beers, but the extreme beer craze has made us appreciate beers like this even more: beers that have plentiful flavor but can be enjoyed in large quantities during a lengthy drinking session due to lower alcohol content (hence the term, “session beer”). This attractive brown ale pours a chestnut brown with reddish highlights. Expect a citrus-heavy nose, with a malty back...

This beer is being renamed Celtic Ale, we guess because people don’t get the reference to Hibernia, the Roman name for Ireland. A true to style Irish Red Ale, it pours a clear amber with garnet hues and a sticky white head. On the nose, expect slight nutty wafts along with mainly subdued citrus hop notes, atop some crackery toastiness. Note subdued fruit notes, but mainly lightly toasted malts and a semisweet lingering character. Look for a light...